ABOUT US

ABO is a collective of creators and activists who work to amplify the voices of LGBTQ prisoners through art. By working closely with prison abolitionist and queer advocacy organizations, we aim to keep queer prisoners connected to outside community and help them in the fight toward liberation. The profits we generate go back to incarcerated artists, especially those with little to no resources. Using the DIY ideology of "punk-zine" culture, ABO was formed with the philosophy of mutual support, community and friendship. ​

Our collective is working towards compassionate accountability without relying on the state or its sycophants. ABO believes our interpersonal and societal issues can be solved without locking people in cages. Our mission is to combat the culture that treats humans as disposable and disproportionately criminalizes the most marginalized amongst us. Through artistic activism, we hope to proliferate the idea that a better world means redefining our concepts of justice.

Our work

​*We help give a platform to marginalized community members inside prison and a way to express themselves artistically*We work closely with incarcerated LGBTQ+ members to develop artwork & provide feedback so that artists can hone their skills*We help introduce the public to the plight of queer prisoners*We fundraise for and provide financial assistance to our contributors and other LGBTQ+ prisoners in need*We create and maintain LGBTQ+ community contact and friendship across prison walls*We support LGBTQ+ prisoners to gain knowledge and experience in the publishing/artistic industry*We provide artists with credentials for a portfolio and letters of recommendation (for parole boards, etc.)*We introduce prisoners to other organizations that may assist them with needs or publish their work*We engage with the local community at events (workshops, book and zine fests)*We collaborate and work in solidarity with other prisoner advocacy/abolitionist groups